Story Highlights

There is, as there should be, an intense spotlight on the children of Flint, who are at risk of lead poisoning because of poor decisions made concerning the city’s water supply. Now, the hard work of minimizing the impact of this exposure is under way. But it is the hope of pediatricians and others who work with young children that the catastrophe in Flint will now shine a bright light on the needs of all children, especially those who have to grow up in poverty and face many of the same stressors that Flint’s children face, even before this man-made disaster.

As pediatricians, we learn very early in our training that we must always act in the best interest of the child. Our profession puts us in uncomfortable situations where we are forced to make medical or social decisions to ensure a child’s health or safety if the child is at risk because of a breakdown in his or her social setting.

To understand the extent of the impact in Flint, consider: Toxic exposure, which can lead to long-term injury in the development of children’s brains, is recognized as an Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). ACEs were first described in a Kaiser Permanente study of 17,000 individuals in the late 1990s. These ACEs include psychological, physical and sexual abuse; violence in the home; imprisonment of a family member, and living in a home with substance abuse, mental illness or suicide.

These are awful things that singularly or in aggregation can actually change children’s DNA, increase their stress hormones and alter important feedback circuits in the brain. These biochemical, cellular and physical changes then drive bad behavior, emotional instability and difficulty with learning. It has been shown that this sequence of events can initiate the beginning of a downward spiral for a child by increasing the chances of academic failure, economic difficulties and decreased life expectancy. These changes are particularly impactful when children are less than six years old and their brains are more easily molded.

Pediatricians are by nature idealistic and optimistic. We have learned that there are two sides to the plasticity of the young brain. Providing a positive, loving and nurturing environment to the young child can help mold a healthier brain and can help overcome the damage done by lead and other ACEs.

This is why the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatrics and many other professional organizations that serve children have advocated strongly at the state and federal level to provide Flint families with the necessary evidence-based programs that will promote the healthy development of children. Young children will thrive and the harm caused by lead can be mitigated if families can be supported and vital nutrition, literacy and preschool education programs can be instituted and sustained. With almost two years of ongoing lead exposure, it is crucial to invest in these programs now.

It is also time, however, for our communities and local, state and federal governments to increase awareness of the needs of all children — especially those who experience social stressors such as inadequate schools, stressed and under-resourced families and dangerous environments.

Our government from the top on down must invest in the future by supporting meaningful early childhood development programs such as Head Start, early literacy programs, home visitation programs, improved nutritional access, school nurses and a multitude of other proven services.

We must all advocate for meeting the needs of children and families wherever they live. The programs that are essential for the children in Flint to recover and thrive are the basic tools that are essential for children everywhere. It should not take a catastrophe to draw attention to the fundamental requirements for the healthy development of children and the strengthening of families, communities and our nation.

Dr. Neal R. Weinberg is president of the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is a pediatrician in Ann Arbor.